Dorothy Mae Throne

Dorothy Mae (Thompson) Throne of Lancaster, PA passed away peacefully on Sept. 21, 2022 at 85 years of age. The daughter of the late Charles Henry and Iva May (Zarfoss) Thompson, she was born at home and grew up on a farm in Fawn Township along with seven brothers and one sister. She attended a one room school house, and later graduated from Kennard-Dale High School.

Dorothy lived in Stewartstown, PA for 40 years, where she and her husband of 67 years, James P. Throne raised their five children.

Dorothy excelled with food and gardening, according to family members. “Being a farm girl, Mom continued her love of gardening.” says daughter Patty.” Daughter Sandy added, “ My parents had a huge garden in the backyard where we grew just about any vegetable you could think of including tomatoes, potatoes, asparagus, and corn, as well as plum trees, Asian pear trees, chestnut trees and a generous row of red raspberries. Along the property line was about a 150 foot long row of peonies. They were beautiful in the spring.” The backyard also included a miniature vineyard where they grew grapes for making their own wine. “It was an experience that involved the whole family in grape stomping” says Patty. An outgrowth of the winemaking was membership in the York Chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and frequent hosting of large wine tasting gatherings of society members.

Dorothy was an exceptional home cook. “We didn’t go out to eat”, says daughter Susan. “She made every meal and anything she made was from scratch.” Her homemade French bread was frequently in demand for family gatherings. “There was a time when the oven was broken and that didn’t stop Mom. She managed to make wonderful English muffins and doughnuts on the stove top” says Sandy. Son Rob recalls his favorite being her homemade cinnamon buns. Daughter Jennifer fondly recalls many favorites, including homemade croissants with homemade red raspberry preserves.

Dorothy and her husband were members of the York Sail and Power Squadron. “She helped with the food preparations for the Captain and crew.” says her husband.

She was very good at preserving food. “In the basement there were rows of canned peaches, pears, tomatoes and preserves in addition to two full size freezers. One freezer had half a steer in it and the other had the produce from the garden” says Sandy.

Dorothy worked for 25 years as an administrative assistant to her husband in a family owned mergers and acquisitions company, Throne and Company. In retirement Dorothy and her husband traveled in an RV for 12 years across the US, visiting most states and their capitals as well as many national state parks.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 67 years, James and her sister Peggy Godfrey. Also surviving are four daughters, Susan March, Sandra Van de Streek, Patricia Kettering and Jennifer Dandy and son Robert Throne plus grandchildren Derek March, Alex March, Jonathan Kettering, Ben Kettering, Amanda Dandy, Terry Dandy, Elizabeth Adamski, Dakota Throne, Madelyne Throne, Miranda Throne and great grandchildren, Haley Brown, Gunner Adamski, Owen March and step great grandchild Faith Adamski.

She was preceded in death by brothers Vernon L. Thompson, George W. Thompson Sr., Perry D. Thompson, Charles H. Thompson Jr., Christopher L. Thompson, Everett H. Thompson and John E. Thompson.

Graveside services to be held at Prospect Hill Cemetery on Nov. 4, 2022. Please arrive by 12:45pm at the entrance located at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, York, PA 17404 for the funeral procession to the gravesite.